Police warn not to leave cars warming up unattended

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - As temperatures are dipping below freezing at night, the Grand Island Police are warning people not to leave their cars unattended while heating up.

They say walking away from your car with the keys in the ignition is an easy way to get it stolen.

“Unfortunately it was pretty wide spread so central Grand Island probably got hit the worst [last year] but almost all neighborhoods have some instances of cars being taken while they were running,” Captain Jim Duering said.

It is also not a good idea to leave children unattended in the car. Police say it hasn't happened for some time, but cars have been stolen with kids inside.

“Last year we have 140 cars stolen and about 85% of those were running or had the keys in the ignition and the doors unlocked,” Capt. Duering said.

The safest way to warm up your car would be to wait inside of it or use remote start if you can. They also say to make sure your windows are fully cleared of ice and not fogged up when you get on the road.

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